GIVING MORE FAMILIES ACCESS TO THE WONDERS OF QUESTACON

Under a Shorten Labor Government, admission fees for all visitors to Questacon will be lowered by $7.50.

For 30 years, Questacon has been exciting adults and children, and inspiring the scientists, researchers and engineers of tomorrow.

Questacon is Australia’s premier science museum, attracting 454,251 visitors and 136,155 school groups in 2015 alone. While Questacon is attracting more visitors than ever, families under pressure from tight budgets are missing out.

Current admission prices are adults $23.50, children $17.50 (children under four are admitted for free) and annual membership $160 (for the first year or $127.50 for renewing family memberships). That means a day visit for a family of two adults and two children comes to a total of $82.

Labor believes that sparking the curiosity of young people and inspiring an interest in science and engineering isn’t something that just benefits the individual, it is something that benefits the nation. If we are to be an innovation nation, powered by the strength of our ideas, we need to expand access to inspiring institutions like Questacon.

That is why a Shorten Labor Government will support Questacon to lower admission fees for all visitors by $7.50. This will bring adult admission prices to $16 and a child admission to $10.

A $7.50 reduction admission price would impact Questacon’s revenue by approximately a $3.675 million per year. This factors in an increase in visitor numbers, but not the increased operational costs associated with the reduction.

A Shorten Labor Government will provide additional funding to Questacon of $3.7 million per year ($14.8 million over the forward estimates) to allow for a reduction in admission fees without a reduction in the services provided by Questacon.

Labor believes that everyone, regardless of their means, should have the opportunity to be inspired by the exhibitions at Questacon. A Shorten Labor Government will make sure more do.